Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Gerlach, John March 17, 1855 - January 21, 1908
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com December 11, 2009, 9:29 am

Source: History of Solano and Napa Counties, California (1912)
Author: Tom Gregory

“John Gerlach.

Throughout a long period of identification with the business interests of Napa 
and an assiduous devotion to the blacksmith’s trade, Mr. Gerlach not only built 
up in his line a reputation second to none, but he also invested his savings 
with such unerring sagacity that he became one of the prosperous residents of 
the city, and when finally death ended his honorable activities he left his 
family in comfortable financial circumstances.  Not a little of his success was 
due to the cheerful co-operation of his wife, a woman of excellent business 
ability, who since his demise has not only retained intact the property 
belonging to his estate, but by wise management has added to the original 
amount and among other investments has erected a business house on Main street 
which she now owns.

Born in Neiderweisel, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, March 17, 1855, John Gerlach 
was a son of Jacob and Katherine Gerlach and was reared on the parental farm in 
his native country.  After he had completed the studies of the common schools 
he was apprenticed to the blacksmith’s trade and from the first showed a 
natural aptitude for the occupation, in which early in life he acquired a 
remarkable skill.  In common with the custom of his native land he served the 
stipulated time in the German army, later returning to the work of a 
journeyman.  During 1882 he left Germany and sailed across the ocean on a 
steamer bound for New York City.  After his arrival in the American metropolis 
he there married Elizabeth Feiling, also a native of Neiderweisel, and a 
daughter of Franz and Margaret (Reigelhuth) Feiling, the former a cabinet-maker 
by trade.

Crossing the continent to San Francisco and establishing a home in that city, 
Mr. Gerlach secured employment at his trade.  In 1884 he came to Napa and 
opened a blacksmith’s shop.  It soon began to be seen that he was unusually 
proficient in his line and his efficiency and skill brought him a large trade 
extending for miles in every direction.  For a time he occupied a building on 
North Brown street between First and Clay, but later he purchased a site on 
South Brown street between Third and Fourth.  The trade that he established and 
held became the largest of its kind in the city and obliged him to enlarge his 
shop in order to secure the room necessary for the proper management of the 
work.  While still actively carrying forward the duties incident to his chosen 
occupation he died at his home, January 21, 1908, leaving besides his wife and 
children many warm friends and business associates to mourn his untimely 
demise.  He is remembered as a man of true worth, of high principles and 
persevering industry, one who took pride in doing well every task brought to 
his shop and who would not permit even the smallest and most unimportant job to 
be neglected.  Such men as these are a distinct addition to the business 
welfare of any city and besides gaining personal success they are helpful in 
the permanent progress of their communities.

Since his death he shop which for so many years was the headquarters of Mr. 
Gerlach has been rented to other parties, but it is still owned by the family, 
who also own a pleasant home at No. 5 Randolph street.  The three youngest 
children, Marie, Anna and George, remain with their mother at the home, the 
eldest daughters having gone into homes of their own.  Susie is the wife of 
Ross Stebbins and resides at Bakersfield.  Louise married Arthur Van Pelt and 
lives in Napa.  Katie married John M. Niccolls and makes her home in 
Bakersfield.  During the period of his residence in Napa Mr. Gerlach gave 
steadfast allegiance to all movements for the upbuilding of the city and was a 
contributor to progressive projects, preferring, however, to aid in a quiet and 
unostentatious way and to give over to others the leadership of all such 
measures.   A number of fraternities had the advantage of his identification 
with their local membership, included amount these being the Independent Order 
of Foresters, the Herman Sons, the Eagles and the Foresters of America.” END

Additional Comments:
“History of Solano and Napa Counties, California” 
Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1912

Biographical sketch of John Gerlach on pages 485-486.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/napa/bios/gerlach1007gbs.txt

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